Machine for making rope



July 21, 1964 Filed Aug. 14, 1962 C. BENK MACHINE FOR MAKING ROPE 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR; CLAUS BENK July 2l, 1964 c. BENK 3,141,285

MACHINE FOR MAKING ROPE Filed Aug. 14, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR:CLAUS BENK ATT'YS United States Patent 3,141,285 MAQHINE FQR MAKING RGPEClaus Bonk, Esny, Ailgau, Germany, assignor to Vereinigte Glanzstofi-Fabrilren A.G., VJuppertal-Elberfelri, Germany Filed Aug. 14, 1962,Ser. No. 216,890 Claims priority, application Germany Aug. 19, 1961 7Claims. (Cl. 57-13) The invention relates to a machine for theproduction of a rope, such as a rope composed of strands of syntheticfilaments, and especially a rope with a core which does not twist onloading.

Rope-making machines are known in the art. It has been proved, however,that these machines are unusable for the making of spirally wound,multi-layered cores for special types of ropes, such as certain types ofmountaineering ropes. For one thing, on the known rope machines only upto about 8 strands can be wound simultaneously, while for themanufacture of the core for the special ropes of the invention there arerequired in the individual winding layers 16 and more strands. Moreover,in the usual rope machines there exists no possibility of regulating thestrand tension within the close tolerances necessary for the productionof a good, spiral wound rope core.

Neither are the machines used in the production of wire cables usablefor the production of such rope cores, because with these machinesbulges or bends appear in the wound ropes and they are without thenecessary hold. Moreover, here, too, the necessary precision cannot beachieved in the regulation of the strand tensions. Also, in bothmachines the smallest settable strand tension is higher than the tensionallowed for providing in the finished rope the best flexibilitycharacteristics.

Likewise, the use of wire cable stranding machines for the production oftwisted cores which can be worked on the usual machines in hemprope-making plants is impossible. Through the twist produced in theindividual strands on the stranding machine the finished ropes wouldbecome much too stiff. Moreover, it is not possible to achieve morethan, say, 6 to 8 strands, as compared to the minimum requirement of 16and more strands in the ropes produced in accordance with thisinvention.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a rope-makingmachine with which the production of perfect winding layers is madepossible in a simple manner. This may be achieved through an arrangementsuch that strand carriers delivering in each case one strand arearranged at the circumference of a circular rope-whipping plate providedwith a hollow shaft, which plate rotates at a constant, thoughadjustable turning relative to the lineal travel of the rope core as itis drawn through the machine by a draw-off device. The core is suppliedthrough the hollow shaft of the plate from the side opposite thematerial carriers. Above the whipping plate the strands supplied fromthe individual strand carriers are wound spirally about the core. Themachine has a winding device for winding the spirally wound rope underconstant rope tension. The individual strand carriers are equipped withallocated thread or strand brakes of known type, with the aid of whichthe tension of the strands running to the winding point can be adjustedaccording to the requirements.

In the preferred forms of the invention, the strand carriers arearranged to slide in a concentric groove near the plate or disk edge insuch a way that at any time an arbitrarily large number of carriers canbe accommodated, the limit being the maximum resulting from the diameterof the groove circle and the diameters of the individual spools.

, 3,141,285 Ice Patented July 21, 1964 In further development of theinvention a second and, if need be, even a third concentric groove maybe arranged, so that a very great possibility of variation exists in thenumber of strand carriers which can be accommodated on the plate.

The coupling between plate drive and draw-off device is, according tothe invention, such that rate of draw-off of the rope core through themachine can be adjusted, for example, by means of an infinitely variablegear of known design in the range corresponding to the practicalrequirements, relative to the rate of rotation of the plate, or viceversa. Once adjusted, however, the relative rates of lineal take-up ofthe rope core by the take-off device and the rate of rotation of theplate(s) should remain constant, e.g., by driving both from the samedrive source, to provide a constant, predetermined rate of rotation ofthe plate per lineal unit of travel of the core.

In further development of the invention the device is adapted forwhipping two winding layers at the same time by an arrangement such thattwo plates of different diameters, rotated about a common axis, butindependently of one another and at different speeds, if desired, rotatein the particular direction desired. The number of concentricallyturning rope-Whipping plates driven independently of one another inspeed and direction and carrying the strand carriers may even exceedtwo, so that thereby, possibly, the application of all the core woundlayers upon one machine passage becomes possible.

The foregoing and numerous other important objects, advantages, andinherent functions of the invention will become apparent as the same ismore fully understood from the following description, which, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferredembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of another embodiment ofthe invention; and

FIG. 3 is a top plan View to show the detail of a typical strand brakemechanism which may be used in conjunction with the strand carriers ofFIGS. 1 and 2.

The rope core 1 may be a single strand, a group of parallel, untwistedstrands, a group of slightly intertwisted strands, or a group ofspirally wound strands. It may also be a core of the aforementioned typehaving one or more spirally wound layers wound thereabout in the eventthe ultimate rope is made by successive passages through the machine toapply the spirally wound layers thereon. The rope core comes from thesupply drum 2 and runs over the deflection roller 3 through the bore 10in the axis of the rope whipping plate 9 to the rotating strandcollector 5. Here the strands 15, being supplied from the individualstrand carriers 12, meet and are spirally wound in a layer about thecore. The rope, supplied with a new wound layer, passes over thedeflection roller 4 between the draw-off rollers 6, 7 to the windingdrum 8.

The rope-whipping plate 9 has on its surface, near the circumference, aconcentric groove 11 with dovetail cross section, in which thecorrespondingly shaped legs 14 of the strand carriers 12 are insertedwith the aid of slots of known type. Each of the strand carriers 12 hasa device 13 which maintains constant the strand tension of the strands15 drawn off the spools.

At the circumference of the rope-whipping plate 9 there are gear teeth16 with which the drive pinion gear 17 engages.

The rope-whipping plate, by way of a suitable drive connection, is alsoconnected with the draw-off rollers 6, 7. The drive of the rope-whippingplate and its coupling with the draw-off device may also be accomplishedin any other manner than that represented.

The illustrated draw-off device is a lower driven roller 7 and an upperidler roller 6. The rope is drawn between these rollers withoutslippage. The roller 7 has a pulley 35 driven by belt 36. The belt 36 ismounted on pulley 37 which is mounted on the shaft of friction disc 38.The disc 38 is rotatably driven by the wheel 39, the circumferentialedge of which frictionally engages the face of disc 38. The wheel 39 ismovable toward and away from the radial center of disc 38 by virtue ofsupport of its shaft 40 by the yoke arm 41. The arm 41 is supported on areciprocable support (not shown) by which the position of wheel 39 canbe set in any position relative to the radial center of disc 38 to givethe infinitely variable drive connection between the take-off device 6,7 and the rotating plate 9. The shaft 40 is connected telescopically tothe shaft 42 by a conventional spline connection or other similar typeconnection and is rotatably driven by the shaft 42. This combinationprovides a stageless adjustable drive for making fine adjustments in therelative velocities at which the plate and means for drawing the ropecore are driven by the driven means.

The winding drum 8 is driven in such a way that during the entirewinding process the rope tension in the part '20 of the rope to be woundremains constant. This may be achieved with any known means, as forexample, independently of the remainining drive of the machine, with aFerraris motor or slip motor of other construction which is capable ofdelivering a constant torque, or else by one of the known electric,hydraulic or mechanical slip couplings with constant output torque, inwhich arrangement then the drive may be coupled in common with the restof the device. The drive of drum 8 is not represented in detail in thedrawing.

FIGURE 2 shows a rope machine according to the invention with twostrand-whipping plates 21 and 22. Here, too, the rope core 1 runs overthe deflection roller 3 upward through the axis of the strand-whippingplates and in so doing passes through the two strand collectors 25 and26, whereupon it runs onward over the upper deflection roller 4 to thedraw-elf device and thereupon to the winding drum in similar fashion tothe embodiment of FIGURE 1. Both strand-whipping plates each have onlyone circular, dovetail groove 23 and 24 near the outer circumference, inwhich there are inserted the strand spool carriers 12 with their legs14. The rope core 1 runs upward through the axial bore 27 of the upperplate 21, while the rope-whipping plate 22 has a hub in which isrotatably journalled the hub of the ropewhipping plate 21. Both hubshave on their lower end a spur gear 29 and 30, through which they aredriven by a gear arrangement and are simultaneously coupled with thedraw-01f device in the manner of the embodiment of FIG. 1. The strands31 and 32 coming from the strand spool carriers 12 run to the strandcollectors 25 and 26, where they are spirally wound about the ropecore 1. The lower strand collector 25 is connected by suitable means,for example, with the aid of a strap, with the rope-whipping plate 21,to keep the two strand collectors spaced apart.

The drive of the rope-whipping plates 9 or 21 and 22 may be accomplishedin any usual manner, so long as it allows no slip between those elementsof the drive which influence the relative turning rates of thestrand-whipping plates on the one hand and of the draw-off device on theother hand. With such a slip it would not be possible to maintain theparticular whipping lengths constant.

The drive of the strand-whipping plates 21 and 22 is designed in such away that the rotation rate and direction of rotation of each plate canbe set independently of the other, at will, before setting the apparatusin operation. Also the rope-whipping plate 9 in FIGURE 1 may be adaptedto any desired whipping length and direction. Thereby it becomespossible, with the aid of the apparatus described, to achieve anydesired wound layer formation. The rope core 1 should have as constantas possible a rope tension between the deflection rollers 3 and 4, inorder to prevent a deformation of the rope core. In the embodiment thisis provided by a weight 18 hanging on a brake rope 19, a usual form forproviding tension in the rope core drawn from the supply spool 2.Despite slight variation of the rope tension during the drawing off ofthe core, which variations are caused by the torque arms resulting fromthe diminishing diameters of the successive winding layers of the coreon the winding drum 2, such an arrangement is sufficient in most cases.Instead of this simple brake mechanism, however, there may be used othermechanisms such as ones in Which the deflection roller 3 is replaced,for example, by a rope brake or a feed mechanism similar to rollers 6,7.

The strand collectors 5, 25 and 26 each is simply a fixed ring throughthe center opening of which passes the rope core. The strands beingwound on the core slide across the lower edge of the center opening andare wound on the core in spiral, side-by-side relationship at the siteof the strand collector.

The device 13 for maintaining constant strand tension may be any one ofmany types of devices known in the art for this purpose. There is shownin FIG. 3 one of such devices, which consists of a rod 43 having mountedthereon a fixed disc 44 and a slidable disc 45. The disc 45 is pressedtoward the disc 44 by a coil spring 46. The coil spring is mounted aboutthe rod 43 between the plate 45 and a nut 47 threaded on the threadedend of rod 43. The strand 15 passes between the plates 44, 45. Thepressure of the plates against the strands provides a braking action onthe strands. The pressure exerted is adjusted by changing the pressureof spring 46 on plate 45 upon rotating nut 47.

The ropes produced by the machine of the invention are characterized bya core of the'aforesaid character having at least one and usually two ormore layers of spiral strands. The strands in each layer are laidside-by side, and in the respective layers of multi-layered ropes, thestrands may be wound in the same or opposite direction. The number ofstrands used to form each layer may be adjusted to correspond with thedesired number of turns per unit length, diameter of the strands, and/ordiameter of the respective spiral-wound layer to provide layers in whichthe individual strands are applied in close, side-by-side relationship.The rope, such as a mountaineering rope made of strands of syntheticfilaments, is finished by providing about the spiral-wound core amantle, which is usually a cross-braided mantle. The mantle is appliedover the core on another well known machine which does not constitute apart of this invention. The mountaineering ropes are best produced withabout 60% of the total mass of the rope strands in the core and spirallywound layers about the core and 40% of the total mass in the strands ofthe mantle. Ropes of this character have wound layers which do not twistupon loading of the rope.

It is thought that the invention and its numerous attendant advantageswill be fully understood from the foregoing description, and it isobvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages,the forms herein disclosed being preferred embodiments for the purposeof illustrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A machine useful in the manufacture of ropes comprising a rotatablestrand-whipping plate having a hub with an axial passage therethroughpermitting a rope core to be drawn through the center of the plate,strandspool carriers mounted on one face of said plate, means for layingstrands from said strand spool carriers on said core in side-by-sidespiral windings to form a spirally wound layer about said core when saidcore is drawn through the rotating plate and last-mentioned means, meansfor drawing the rope core through said plate and said means for layingsaid strands, drive means for rotating said means for drawing atpredetermined, constant relative speeds to provide a constant,predetermined rate of rotation of the plate per lineal unit of travel ofthe rope core through said means for laying the strands, and meansoperatively associated with said drive means and including speed-changemechanism operable to selectively change the setting of the relativerate of rotation of said plate per lineal unit of travel of said ropecore.

2. A machine useful in the manufacture of ropes comprising a rotatablestrand-whipping plate having a hub with an axial passage therethroughpermitting a rope core to be drawn through the center of the plate,strand-spool carriers mounted on one face of said plate, means forlaying strands from said strand spool carriers on said core inside-by-side, spiral windings to form a spirally wound layer about saidcore when said core is drawn through the rotating plate andlast-mentioned means, a second, rotatable strand-whipping plate mountedimmediately below and concentric with said first-mentioned plate, saidsecond plate being larger than said first-mentioned plate to provide aperipheral area on the upper face thereof extending beyond the edge ofthe first-mentioned plate, strand-spool carriers mounted on saidperipheral area of said upper face, additional means, located above saidfirst-mentioned means, for laying strands from said lastmentioned spoolcarriers over the spirally wound layer produced by said first-mentionedmeans for laying said strands drawn from said first-mentioned spoolcarriers as said core and its spirally wound layer are drawn throughsaid first-mentioned plate and said additional means for laying strands,means for drawing the rope core through said first-mentioned plate, saidfirst-mentioned means for laying said strands and said additional meansfor laying said strands, and drive means for rotating both of saidplates at constant, predetermined velocities and for driving said meansfor drawing at predetermined, constant speed relative to the velocitiesof said plates to provide a constant, predetermined rate of rotation ofsaid plates per lineal unit of travel of said rope core through saidfirst-mentioned means and additional means for laying the strands.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein said drive means includesmeans for changing the setting of the relative rates of rotation of saidplates per lineal unit of travel of said rope core.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second plate has a hubrotatably journalled about the hub of said first plate, and each of saidhubs has mounted thereon a gear operatively connected to said drivemeans.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of said faces of saidplates have at least one concentric, circular groove therein, the basesof the respective strand spool carriers on each of said plates beingmatingly fitted in said groove of the respective plate and slidablearound said circular groove whereby the spacing between the strand spoolcarriers can be changed to allow for equal spacing between said carriersfor any number of carriers mounted in each of said concentric grooves.

6. A machine useful in the manufacture of ropes comprising a rotatablestrand-whipping plate having a hub with an axial passage therethroughpermitting a rope core to be drawn through the center of the plate,strandspool carriers mounted on one face of said plate, means for layingstrands from said strand spool carriers on said core in side-by-sidespiral windings to form a spirally wound layer about said core when saidcore is drawn through the rotating plate and last-mentioned means, meansfor drawing the rope core through said plate and said means for layingsaid strands, drive means for rotating said plate and for driving saidmeans for drawing at predetermined, constant relative speeds to providea constant, predetermined rate of rotation of the plate per lineal unitof travel of the rope core through said means for laying the strands,and wherein said face of said plate has at least one concentric,circular groove therein, in which groove are adjustably mounted thesupporting legs of said strand spoolcarriers which are mounted on saidface, the bases of said supporting legs being matingly fitted in saidgroove and slidable around said groove whereby the spacing between thestrand spool carriers can be changed to allow for equal spacing betweensaid carriers for any number of carriers mounted in said concentricgroove.

7. A machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means operativelyassociated with said drive means is a stageless adjustable driveoperatively connected between said rotating plate and said means fordrawing said rope core through said means for laying said strands.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS303,943 Morton Aug. 19, 1884 1,210,001 Randall Dec. 26, 1916 1,704,888Frederickson Mar. 12, 1929 1,747,769 Fullman et al. Feb. 18 19302,098,922 McKnight Nov. 9, 1937 2,423,289 Bellg in--- July 1, 19472,672,722 Shulver Mar. 23, 1954 2,780,906 Fewtrell et al. Feb. 12, 19573,058,867 Plummer et al. Oct. 16, 1962 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICECERTIFICATE QF CORRECTION Patent No, 3, 141,285 July 21 1964 Claus Benke above numbered patrtified that error appears in th hould read as It ishereby ce ent reqliring correction and that the said Letters Patent scorrected below.

Column 4 line 4 for "embodiment" read embodiments column 5, line 4, .for,"said means for drawing at predetermined read said plate and :fordriving said means for drawing at predetermined, Y

Signed and sealed this 17th day of November 1964,

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER ERNEST w. swmER A'ttcsting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. A MACHINE USEFUL IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ROPES COMPRISING A ROTATABLESTRAND-WHIPPING PLATE HAVING A HUB WITH AN AXIAL PASSAGE THERETHROUGHPERMITTING A ROPE CORE TO BE DRAWN THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE PLATE,STRANDSPOOL CARRIERS MOUNTED ON ONE FACE OF SAID PLATE, MEANS FOR LAYINGSTRANDS FROM SAID STRAND SPOOL CARRIERS ON SAID CORE IN SIDE-BY-SIDESPIRAL WINDINGS TO FORM A SPIRALLY WOUND LAYER ABOUT SAID CORE WHEN SAIDCORE IS DRAWN THROUGH THE ROTATING PLATE AND LAST-MENTIONED MEANS, MEANSFOR DRAWING THE ROPE CORE THROUGH SAID PLATE AND SAID MEANS FOR LAYINGSAID STRAND, DRIVE MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID MEANS FOR DRAWING ATPREDETERMINED, CONSTANT RELATIVE SPEEDS TO PROVIDE A CONSTANT,PREDETERMINED RATE OF ROTATION OF THE PLATE PER LINEAL UNIT OF TRAVEL OFTHE ROPE CORE THROUGH SAID MEANS FOR LAYING THE STRANDS, AND MEANSOPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID DRIVE MEANS AND INCLUDING SPEED-CHANGEMECHANISM OPERABLE TO SELECTIVELY CHANGE THE SETTING OF THE RELATIVERATE OF ROTATION OF SAID PLATE PER LINEAL UNIT OF TRAVEL OF SAID ROPECORE.